Gate arrestor



Feb. 26, 1957 H. E. WILLIAMS 2,783,071

GATE ARRESTOR Filed July 15, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z XwaM Feb. 26, 1957 H. E. WILLIAMS GATE ARRESTOR Filed July 13, 1955 2 Sheets -Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HERBERT E. w/u m Ms A TTOENEXS nited States Pat h GATE ARRESTOR Herbert E. Williams, Birmingham, Ala.

Application July 13, 1955, Serial No. 521,658

13 Claims. (Cl. 292-109) This invent-ion relates to a gate arrestor and has for an object the provision of means for engaging a gate while n open position and either temporarily arresting its closmg movement or holding it in the open position until manually released.

Another object of my invention is to provide a gate arrestor which is particularly adapted for use with a horizontally swinging gate and which includes means for urging the gate toward closed position after the same has been opened, such as the gate described and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 401,147, filed December 30, 1953, and entitled Gate.

A still further object of my invention is I110 provide a gate arrestor of the character designated which shall be simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one which is adapted for use with conventional types of horizontally swinging gates.

Briefly, my improved gate arrestor comprises an elongated holding member having a longitudinally extending opening therein for receiving a horizontal pivot pin with a sliding fit. The holding member is balanced so that its rear end overbalances its forward end when the member is shifted rearwardly on the pivot pin. An upstanding abutment is provided adjacent the rear end of the holding member in. position'to be engaged by the gate as it moves toward open position whereby the holding member is shifted rearwardly relative to the pivot pin and the rear end thereof is lowered. An upstanding hook is provided at the forward end of the holding member in-position to engage the gate as it moves toward closed position, thereby retarding closing movement of the gate.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, I show by way of example a plurality of ways in which my invention may be carried out:

Fig. l is a plan view of the arrestor associated with a horizontally swinging gate;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational View of the arrestor taken along the line lI-II of Fig. l and showing the position of the holding member prior to engagement with the gate and after the gate has closed, the lower rail of the gate being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the position of the holding member after the gate has moved to fully open position;

Fig. 4. is a side elevational view showing the position of the holding member after the gate has engaged the hook portion thereof and shifted the same forward;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view showing the position of the holding member after the gate has engaged the hook portion thereof, the lower rail of the gate being shown moving toward reengagement with the upstanding abutment;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a slightly modified form of arrestor showing the position of the holding member prior to engagement with the gate and after the gate has closed;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the arrestor shown in Fig. 6, showing the position of the holding member while the gate is in fully open position;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of a further modified form of arrestor, showing the holding member in position prior to engagement with the gate and after the gate has closed;

Fig. 9'is a side elevational view of the arrestor shown at Fig. 8, showing the position of the holding member after the gate has moved to open position and has contacted the hook on its return toward closed position; and,

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line XX of Fig. 9.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show a gate 10 hingedly connected at one end to a supporting post 11 by means of a suitable hinge member 12. Preferably the hinge includes means urging the gate toward closed position after it has been moved to open position, such as described in my hereinbefore mentioned copending application. A suitablelatch 13 is mounted on a post 14 at the swinging end of the gate for releasably holding the gate in closed posi tion until sufficient force is exerted against the same to move it to open position.

Mounted at opposite sides of the hinge 12, only one of which is shown, are short vertical support members 16 which are anchored by suitable means such as a concrete foundation 1'7. Mounted on the support member 16 by means of bolts 18 is a vertical plate-like bracket 19. Formed integrally with or secured to the bracket 19 by any suitable means, such as by welding, is an outwardly projecting pivot pin 21.

Mounted for vertical pivotal movement on the pin 21 is an elongated holding member 22 having a longitudinally extending slot 23 therein for receiving the pivot pin with a sliding fit. The holding member 22 is retained on the pivot pin by means of washer 24 and cotter key 25. An upstanding abutment 26 is provided at the rear end of the holding member 22 in position to be engaged by the lower rail of the gate, indicated at 27, whereby the holding member is moved to a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 3. The forward end of the holding member 22 is curved upwardly to provide a hook 28 which lies in The holding member 22 is, balanced whereby the end thereof toward which the holdingv member is shifted overbalances the other end thereof. That is to say, when the holding member is shifted to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, the hook 23 remains in the down position and out of the path of. the lower rail 27, thus permitting the lower rail to engage the upstanding abutment26 and move the holding member 22 to the left, as shown in Fig. 3. With the holding member 22 shifted to the left, it remains in a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 3, until the lower rail 27 engages the hook 28 and shifts the holding member 22 tothe right, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Also, after the gate has moved to closed position the hook 28 remains in down position thereby positioning the same for another cycle of the gate operation.

The holding member 22 is held in a horizontal position, when shifted toward the abutment 26, by means of an outwardly projecting stop pin 29 secured to the bracket 19. Also, mounted on the bracket 19below the pivot pin 21 is a stop pin 31 which limits downward movement of the forward end of the holding member 22, thus holding the same in tilted position as shown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my in Fig. 2. In this tilted position, the lower rail 27 of the gate can pass over the hook 28 and then strike the rear upstanding abutment 26 to push it down to the level posi- Patented Feb. 26, 1957' tion and shift the entire holding member 22 to the left, as shown in Fig. 3. The gate being resilient, will spring forward and engage the hook 28. Due to the fact that the upper portion of the hook 28 partially encircles the bottom rail 27, the holding member 22 is not deflected downwardly by the bottom rail. That is, the bottom rail applies pressure to the upper portion of the hook, thus holding the same in a horizontal position. Accordingly, the gate swings back and forth until it is retarded sufliciently to prevent reengagement of the bottom rail 27 with the abutment 26. ,The holding member 22 then rotates about its pivot pin to the position shown in Fig. 2 with the hook 28 in the down position. The gate is then free to swing toward closed position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1.

When it is desired to hold the gate in open position, the bottom rail 27 is moved into engagement with the hook 28 and held in such position until motion ceases. The steady pressure of the rail against the hook holds the gate open until released manually. This manual release can be obtained by merely pushing against the gate so that the hook can drop to down position.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, I show a modified form of arrestor which embodies a vertical support member 16a mounted in a concrete foundation 17a. Secured to the support member 160 by any suitable means, such as by welding, is a vertical plate-like bracket 19:2 A holding member 22a, having an upstanding abutment 26a at the rear end thereof and an upstanding hook 28a at the forward end thereof is mounted for pivotal movement on a pivot pin 21a. A longitudinal ly extending opening 23a is provided in the member 22a for receiving pin 21a. This form of my invention does not have a pin which corresponds to the pin 29 of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 through 5. The holding member 22a is thus free to rotate whereby the abutment 26a moves downwardly, as shown in Fig. 7, permitting the gate to swing past the arrestor. This construction allows the gate to swing open wider than the specific location of the arrestor. Downward movement of either end of the holding member 22a is limited by means of a stop pin 31a.

The operation of the gate arrestor shown in Figs. ,6 and 7 is similar to that of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 through 5. When the gate is closed, the hook 28a is in the down position, as shown in Fig. 6. The lower rail 27 of the gate engages the upstanding abutment 26:: thus shifting the holding member 22a toward the left, as shown in Fig. 7, whereupon the gate is free to move wider open. After the gate has reached open position, it moves toward closed position whereupon it engages the hook 28:: thus shifting the same to the right. The gate then swings back and forth, as described above, until the holding member 22a moves downwardly as shown in Fig. 6 thus permitting the gate 10 to return to closed position.

In Figs. 8 to 10 I show a further modified form of my invention embodying a support member 16b supported by a concrete foundation 17b. Mounted on the support member 16b by means of bolts 18b is a vertical platelike bracket 19b having a pivot pin 21!) secured thereto. Mounted for pivotal movement on the pivot pin 21!) is an elongated holding member 22b having a hook 281; at the forward end thereof and an upstanding abutment 26b at the rear end thereof. A longitudinally extending slot 23b is provided in the holding member 22!) for receiving the pin 21b. The slot 23b is of a length whereby the end of the holding member 2211 adjacent the abutment 26b overbalances the other end thereof until the holding member is shifted toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 8 and the hook 28b is lowered manually. That is to say, the holding member 22b is so balanced that once it is moved to a horizontal position, it maintains this position until it is shifted toward the right as viewed in Figs. 8 and 9 and the hook is moved downwardly manually. As shown in Fig. 8, when the hook 23b is moved to the down position, the upstanding abutment 26b extends over and to the right of the pivot pin 21b, thus aiding to hold the holding member in this position until the bottom railof the gate again contacts the abutment 26b. Downward movement of the rear end of the holding member 22]) is limited by a stop pin 29!; mounted on the bracket 19b. Also, downward movement of the forward end of the holding member 2212 is limited by a stop pin 31b.

The arrestor shown in Figs. 8 through 10 is adapted for use in holding the gate in open position until manually released. With the gate in closed position, the forward end of the holding member 22b is in the down position thus permitting the lower rail 27 of the gate to pass over the hook 28b and contact the rear upstanding abutment 26b. The holding member 22b is then shifted toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 9. As the gate moves toward closed position it engages the hook 28b in the manner described above. Due to the fact that the holding member 22b is balanced so that it maintains its horizontal position even though it is shifted to the right relative to the pivot pin 21b, the hook 2811 does not move out of the path of the lower rail 27. The gate is thus held in open position until the hook 28b is pushed down manually, whereupon the gate is free to close.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have de vised an improved arrestor for gates which is adapted for use with conventional type automatic gates with no alteration in the construction of such gates. It will also be seen that my improved gate arrestor is positive in operation and is adapted for either temporarily retarding the closing movement of the gate or holding the gate in open position until released manually.

While I have shown the arrestor as being mounted a substantial distance from the hinge of the gate, it will be apparent that it may be mounted at various locations at either side of the hinge.

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In an arrestor for use in retarding the closing of a horizontally swinging gate after the same has been opened, an elongated pivoted holding member mounted for angular movement in a vertical plane, an upstanding abutment at one end of said holding member in position to engage the gate as it moves toward open position whereby said holding member is moved about its pivot point toward a horizontal position, and an upstanding hook at the other end of said holding member in position to engage said gate as it moves toward closed position whereby the closing movement of the gate is arrested.

2. In an arrestor for use in retarding the closing of a horizontally swinging gate after the same has been opened, a horizontal pivot pin, an elongated holding member having a longitudinally extending opening therein receiving said pivot pin, said holding member being balanced whereby its rear end overbalances its forward end when the holding member is shifted rearwardly on its pivot pin, an upstanding abutment adjacent the rear end of said holding member in position to be engaged by the gate as it moves toward open position whereby the holding member is shifted rearwardly and the rear end thereof is lowered, and an upstanding hook at the forward end of said holding member in position to engage said gate as it moves toward closed position whereby the closing movement of the gate is arrested and the holding member is shifted forwardly.

3. In an arrestor for use in retarding the closing of a horizontally swinging gate after the same has been opened, a horizontal pivot pin, an elongated holding member having a longitudinally extending opening therein for receiving said pivot pin, said holding member being balanced assess/1 whereby its rear end overbalances its forward end when the holding member is shifted rearwardly and its forward end overbalances its rear end when the holding member is shifted forwardly, an upstanding abutment adjacent the rear end of said holding member in position to be engaged by the gate as it moves toward open position whereby the holding member is shifted rearwardly and the rear end thereof is lowered, and an upstanding hook at the forward end of said holding member in position to engage said gate as it moves toward closed position whereby the holding member is shifted forwardly and the movement of the gate is arrested.

4. In an arrestor for use in retarding the closing of a horizontally swinging gate after the same has been opened, a horizontal pivot pin, an elongated holding member having a longitudinally extending opening therein for receiv ing said pivot pin, said holding member being balanced whereby its rear end overbalances its forward end when the holding member is shifted rearwardly and its forward end overbalances its rear end when the holding member is shifted forwardly, an upstanding abutment adjacent the rear end of said holding member in position to be engaged by the gate as it moves toward open position whereby the holding member is shifted rearwardly and the rear end thereof is lowered, an upstanding hook at the forward end of said holding member in position to engage said gate as it moves toward closed position whereby the holding member is shifted forwardly and the closing movement of the gate is arrested, and means holding said holding member in a horizontal plane when the same is shifted rearward.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 in which the means holding the holding member in a horizontal plane comprises a stationary abutment disposed to engage the rear portion of the holding member as it moves downward.

6. The combination set forth in claim 4 in which a stationary abutment is mounted in position to engage the holding member and limit downward movement of the forward end thereof, whereby said holding member is tilted downwardly and forwardly while the gate is in closed position.

7. In an arrestor for use in retarding the closing of a horizontally swinging gate after the same has been opened, a horizontal pivot pin, an elongated holding member having a longitudinally extending opening therein for receiv ing said pivot pin, said holding member being balanced whereby its rear end overbalances its forward end when the holding member is shifted rearwardly on its pivot pin, an upstanding abutment adjacent the rear end of said holding member in position to engage the gate as it moves toward open position whereby the holding member is shifted rearwardly and the rear end thereof is lowered, an upstanding hook at the forward end of said holding member in position to engage said gate as it moves toward closed position whereby the closing movement of the gate is arrested and the holding member is shifted forwardly, and a stationary abutment below said pivot pin limiting downward movement of said forward and rear ends whereby said holding member is tilted downwardlyand forwardly while the gate is in closed position and is tilted downwardly and rearwardly while the gate is in fully open position.

8. In an arrestor for use in retarding the closing of a horizontally swinging gate after the same has been opened, a horizontal pivot pin an elongated holding member having a longitudinally extending opening therein for receiving said pivot pin, an upstanding abutment adjacent the rear end of said holding member in position to engage the gate as it moves toward open position whereby the holding member is shifted rearwardly and the rear end thereof lowered, an upstanding hook at the forward end of said holding member in position to engage said gate as it moves. toward closed position whereby the holding member is shifted forwardly and the closing movement of the gate is arrested, said holding member being balanced whereby its rear end overbalances its forward end while said holding member is in a horizontal plane and said forward end overbalances said rear end when the holding member is shifted forwardly and the forward end is moved downwardly, thus maintaining the gate in open position until the forward end of the holding member is moved downwardly manually.

9. In an article of manufacture for use in arresting the closing movement of a horizontally swinging gate, a bracket adapted for stationary mounting, a pivot pin mounted on said bracket and projecting outwardly thereof, an elongated holding member mounted for pivotal movement on said pin, there being a longitudinally extending slot in said holding member receiving said pin with a sliding fit, an upstanding abutment at one end of said holding member, and an upstanding hook at the other end of said holding member.

10. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 9 in which the holding member is balanced whereby the end thereof toward which the member is shifted overbalances the other end thereof.

ll. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 9 in which the holding member is balanced whereby the end adjacent the abutment overbalances the other end thereof until the member is shifted toward said other end and said other end is lowered manually.

12. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 9 in which a second outwardly projecting pin is mounted on the bracket in position to hold the holding member horizontal while said member is shifted toward the upstanding abutment.

13. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 9 in which an outwardly projecting pin is mounted on said bracket beneath the pivot pin for limiting downward movement of either end of the holding member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

